The incident – described as a "fracas" by the BBC – led to the final three episodes of Top Gear's current series being pulled off air.

Top Gear's future

The show's future is now in doubt, as Clarkson's co-presenters, James May, 52, and Richard Hammond, 45, have reportedly said they will not carry on making the show without their colleague.

Meanwhile, Clarkson told the Sunday Mirror that he had been "put on silent" about the fracas, despite launching a foul-mouthed rant at BBC bosses last week at a charity event.

The presenter was filmed speaking at The Roundhouse Gala in north London calling executives at the broadcaster "f*****g b*****ds" in footage that was uploaded to Youtube.

Writing in his column in the Sunday Times, Clarkson said: "I woke up after a night at a charity do to be told by my lawyer that someone had uploaded a video of me using choice language to describe bosses at the BBC.

"But it was all meant in jest and anyway it worked. By being brief, controversial and a bit sweary I woke the room up and the auction prize I was offering – one last lap of the Top Gear test track – raised £100,000."

Unlike Tymon, Clarkson is not BBC employee, but is a freelance presenter. His contract to present Top Gear was due to be renewed next month.